InfoWorld: Open Source Spin

"I call it the 'give 'em enough rope' approach to open source: a commercial software vendor releases some portion of its software portfolio under an open license. Hurrah! Cheers all around.

"Look closer, however, and the truth emerges. By itself, the code isn't good for much. It might be a library for developers, or it might only implement basic functionality, leaving out more sophisticated enterprise features. Buying into it means you've accepted that vendor's approach hook, line, and sinker. Yet when you download the code for free it comes without support. Cue the sales pitch..."

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• BBC News: Opening Up Challenges to Microsoft(Jul 30, 2005)
• The GNOME Journal: Marketing GNOME(Jul 19, 2005)
• LinuxWorld Australia: Open Source Has to 'Wear a Tie'(Jul 07, 2005)
• Editor's Note: With Friends Like These...(Apr 08, 2005)